I believe in North Platte High.
I believe that things are looking up for North Platte sports.
I believe it’s incredible that our volleyball ladies took two games at the state tournament. You went there and dominated round one against Southeast. Then there was some trouble against Papillion-LaVista, but you handled them and sent North Platte to its first state title game in multiple decades. You took 2014’s heartbreak and turned it into 2015’s school pride. You may have lost to Marian, but you proved your real heart by the way you handled it. I have incredible respect for you guys.
I believe that creating an intense atmosphere is key for winning games, queue the Boneyard. The atmosphere of PBA during the tourney was unrivaled by any other fans, shouts going out to you guys for that one. It was electric. I had the privilege of being on the floor covering their games, and you guys were incredible. You brought so much energy. You were the fuel for the juggernaut that we know as Allison Kuenle, Olivia Nicholson, Josie Cox, Morgan and Madison Raska, Alex Neff, Hayley Schanou, and Sami Mauch. The Boneyard was lit while we 3-0ed Southeast, you were even crazier when the Papillion goons tried to mess with Olivia by using our chant against us. Score major points for originality with that one.
I believe that right now our fans have a major flaw, we cheer only when good things happen. I’m not going to lie and say that it’s easy to holler and scream all the time, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. What do most elite teams have in common? Sweet uniforms, a nice stadium, and oh yeah, they rarely lose at home. The Warriors went 39-2 this season at Oracle Arena and the Spurs lost just once in San Antonio,
I believe there’s a reason that playing at home is typically considered an advantage, but we in North Platte have kind of squandered this blessing. The Boneyard is great, but we need to pack Bauer Field with loud fans. We can become the place that teams do not want to come, because we are so loud and crazy. You guys can change the culture at our school, do it. Our team shut out a Norfolk team that people didn’t really think we had a chance against, and we did that without lock-down fans. Think about what we could do with those fans. Just a thought.
That said, I believe what you fans did on Wednesday night was incredible. The town came together around the soccer team like I had never seen from you guys. There was an electric energy there that was breathtaking. You all just did what great fans do. It may not have worked like we wanted it to, but the fans rallied behind you soccer guys and we take notice of how you handled it. Thanks to all of you.
I believe that our football team had something special this year.
I believe that when a class sticks together like the class of 2016 did, great things happen. When teams play together for long enough, they start to gel together and then you get to that crazy stage where you know where your teammate is going to be on the court, when they’re going to be there, even without looking. Let’s look at some more next level examples. The Memphis Grizzlies don’t have an insane amount of talent, they’re good, and they have some real skill, but the reason they are a perennial playoff team is the fact that they have started the same 5-6 guys for the past 6 seasons. They just know and understand each other better than most other teams. The Spurs again are another great example. Pop has taken that team to the next level with a pretty core group of guys.
I believe that the only thing worse than losing to a good Omaha Central soccer team in your district championship game for a state tournament berth, is when they act like winning a shootout was the single greatest thing they’ve ever accomplished. When the goalie leads the team in front of the student section, holding his hands in front of his throat, just like Richard Sherman at the end of that 2013 NFC Championship with Michael Crabtree. Those guys were just stupid. It is what it is. If Millard North and Kearney can win, we’ll see them at state, and I guarantee that it doesn’t go down like that again. One last thing about this North Platte v. Central throwdown, it was a touchdown. Yes Cole Joneson, we’re all behind you on that one.
I believe that losing is awful, but,
I believe that next year could be as good as this year.
I believe that the vibe doesn’t have to die with one great year.
I believe that after a long stretch of tough sports years, the next few years could really be different.
I believe in North Platte High.